Knitting update

It’s been a bit quiet on the knitting front lately, not sure why, I just seem to constantly run out of time. I guess being away twice over the last 6 weeks hasn’t helped. Anyway I’m back on track and busy finishing off some WIP’s (works in progress), in preparation for a couple of KALs (knit alongs) that I’m doing on Ravelry. We are going to be knitting the Travelling Woman shawl on the Grandmas Hand forum. This will be my first attempt at anything really lacy so I’ll let you know how it goes. And the Salute Hat on the Knitting for Boys Forum. I have the yarn for both projects so won’t be tempted into any shops just now.

So currently on my needles is the 2nd Ethereal waistcoat that I'm knitting for myself, which I started weeks ago, I'm about half way up the back, so still a way to go.

I'm meeting with one of the Monday night girls for some one to one knitting this afternoon.  I'm hoping that she will get something out of my visit apart from a hot chocolate and sticky bun at the local garden centre

The Good Granny Guide

I was given a copy of this for my recent birthday, so am duly reading it for tips on how to become a good grandmother.  15 weeks to go and counting.  What to be called though, that is the question. We already have a Grandma and a Nanny courtesy of the Mrs J's grandmothers, so you add just a 'great' to them and they are happy.  Both Nana and Granny sound old to me, and I don't really see myself as a Grandma.  Mrs J has been calling me Granny Sue for a number of weeks and I must confess its growing on me, so I think Granny Sue it will be, or old bag or whatever else the child decides to call me as it gets older.

I'm currently knitting up white cotton bootees, seeing how many pairs I can make out of the cotton yarn in my stash.  Still haven't finished the Little Pixie Jacket, half a hood and the bands to do, itching to start another Comfort Blanket.

The Monday Craft Group is going from strength to strength, one of the girls presented me with a large rectangle of garter stitch, asking what she could do with it, so we knitted up a long strap and turned it into a bag.  She went home very happy, wearing said bag and yarn to knit another.  I feel very pleased about the way they have taken to this skill and the enthusiasm they show for it.  The group has just been given a sum of money that will secure its future for the next 12 months and allow us to buy much needed supplies.

Comfort Blankets are my favourite at the moment.....

I have knitted this blanket for one of the girls in the Monday Craft group, I hope she likes it.  Its such an easy knit and the results are good, well I think so.  You can knit it with any yarn/needle, start with one stitch and just keep increasing til its the width you want then decrease down the other side.  I've added a bit of detail to one corner and added the large daisy as we know its a girl.  Pattern available here for free Diagonal Comfort Blanket. I now need to finish the Little Pixie Coat that I started last week, before attempting anything else!  But with so many patterns out there the temptation is so great.......

Sense of achievement

Last evening was the first knitting session of the Youth Offending Craft group which meets every Monday  - it went really well even if I say so myself.  Five young girls, all a bit sceptical about knitting - "its for grannies" was the cry.  By the end of the evening I had all five knitting, three took to it very quickly, achieving a great deal without too much help, the other two plodded on, never minding when I ripped their work out and started them off again, even the mid session break for 'a fag' was cut short as they all wanted to get on.  I hope they left with a good feeling (I know I did) as well as their yarn, needles and notebooks.  I don't expect they will pick it up again til next week, but I'm willing to be surprised.  A big thank you to King Cole Wools for their kind donation. 

I'll keep you posted on their progress

Awake early + rain = Friday

Good morning, yes up before the lark! Awake since 4:15, up since 5am, checked my email, Facebook and Ravelry so now time to update my blog.

Plans for the weekend? The plan is I have no plans, which is actually quite nice.  So apart from getting my hair done this morning, a free weekend lays ahead - apart from the usual washing and housework.  On the subject of hair, at what age do you decide to give in and go grey gracefully?  I get my roots done every 6 weeks, me thinks it should be sooner than that, I'll have to have words.  But honestly, when do you decide enoughs enough? My husband and daughters say carry on, but for how long?  I don't want to end up one of those sad old ladies with an obvious dye job.

The rain has put paid to any hopes of getting out in the garden, I have so much clearing up to do, a quick look round earlier this week shows a few snowdrops peaking through and the aconites are putting on a show in the border on the drive, other than that it looks sad and neglected.

On my needles
- making up samples for Stitched Up - the knitting part of the girls craft group starts on Monday, hope they all behave and don't stab anyone with the needles
- playmat -making up the last of the applique flowers then I need to sew them all on, wadding and backing
Whatever you do with your weekend, have fun, I'm sure I will.....

I knew there was a problem

today I have been to Ely hospital for someone to finally look at my neck problem.

After months of being told go away and put up with it. ££££'s spent on osteopaths, acupuncture and Bowen technique I have been seen by someone that was interested. After a lengthy chat she got me to do various exercises to which my neck responded badly, to a point where there was an audible clunk, she said "what on earth was that", I said "that was my neck!!!" She said "that is seriously wrong". So I have had 3 x-rays, she will phone me Monday after the consultant has seen them and advise what the problem is. Basically the large muscles front and back of my neck are guarding an injury, what it is she's not sure as apart from a bad pull on the ab cruncher I've not done anything else, as in no accidents/whiplash. I may have to have my neck immobilised before things can be put right, we didn't go into details on that until they are sure whats wrong! So watch this space.

On my needles - just finished another pram blanket in blues, pattern chosen by Peter, so possibly for Baby Jones if his mummy to be likes it (she wants a blue pram so not an indication on the sex of the baby).



I will be making some sample squares and basic knitting instructions/patterns for a Youth knitting group we are starting in the new year and apart from that not sure what to knit next. I have loads of yarn to use, I am on an self-inforced no yarn buying programme at present and need to clear some out before the January sales!!!!